The New York Islanders announced today that Rick DiPietro will undergo surgery to repair a sports hernia. The procedure will sideline the Islanders goaltender for 10 weeks.

DiPietro, 30, has been sidelined since December 3, first with a groin strain and then with what is classified as a sports hernia and knee swelling. The Winthrop, MA, native has appeared in eight games this season, posting a 3-2-3 record.

A hernia isn’t a big deal and he should eventually recover from that. The big news item here, as has been noted at other places, is the knee swelling. Unlike the hernia, it’s a chronic problem and one that doesn’t seem to be going away.

UPDATE, 7:25pm: From the Official Twitter

@NYIslanders Regarding DiPietro, expect the team to issue a statement tomorrow. #Isles

The news was released late on a Friday to minimize exposure and attention (and, as of 6:30pm it has yet to be acknowledged on the Official Twitter and Website) but Rick DiPietro is done, yet again, for the season. The news comes from Newsday and says that he will have surgery on Tuesday to repair a sports hernia.

On January 3rd DiPietro was sent home early from a recent road trip to Carolina along with Mike Mottau, already on IR for another injury. The fact that DiPietro had even traveled with the team — while the injured David Ullstrom and Al Montoya did not — certainly made it seem like he was nearing a return. Now, another injury, another setback, another lost year and another rehab.

Credit for asking the question that has been swirling around the internets and needed to be asked:

DiPietro tells Newsday no plans to retire: “Nothing like that has even crossed my mind… I know I can play.” #Isles